Signors op one-half to robert hammond and frederick james



(No Model.)

' A. J., H; C. & W. C. NEEDHAM.

. GIG-AR 0R CIGARETTE CASE. No. 393,445

Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I ARTHUR JOSEPH NEEDHAM, HORACE CANNING NEEDHAIII, AND \VALTER CECIL NEEDHAM, OF LONDON, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, AS- SIGNORS OF ONE-HALF TO ROBERT HAMMOND AND FREDERICK JAMES BURT, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

CIGAR OR CIGARETTE CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,445,.datecl November 27, 1888.

Application filed June 19, 1888. Serial No. 277,521.

(No model.)

Patented in England September 29, 1887, No. 13,204; in France February 11, 1888, No. 188,676; in Belgium February 11, 1888, No. 80,627, and in Canada June 19, 1888, No. 29,366.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we,AR:rHUR JOSEPH NEED- HAM, HORACE OANNING N EEDHAM, and WAL- TER OEcIL NEEDIIAM, all subjects of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at London, in the county of Middlesex, Great Britain, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cigar or Cigarette Cases, (for which we have obtained patents in France, No. 188,676, dated [0 February 11, 1888; in Belgium, No. 80,627,

dated February 11, 1888; in Great Britain, No.

13,204, dated September 29, 1887, and in Canada, No. 29,366, dated June 19, 1888,) of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a pocket-case for cigars or cigarettes, in which the lid is self-closing, and from which a cigar or cigarette may be withdrawn with facility.

The accompanying drawing represents a vertical section of this improved pocket-case.

This improved pocket-case for cigars or cigarettes comprises a box, A, which is pref crably constructed of metal in rectangular form,and an automatically-closinglid, B. The

2 lid B is hinged at one corner of the open end of the box A, and the hinged knuckle of the lid is provided with a shoulder, B. A spring, L, disposed within the box, bears at its upper end against the shoulder B and closes the lid 0 automatically.

The box A is provided at opposite points in its sides, near its front wall, A with slots K. If desired, that part K of the front wall adjacent to the slots and portions of the side walls between the slots and front wall may be omitted in the construction of the box, in which case the upper portion of the cigar or cigarette opposite the slots would be exposed all around its upper end, excepting where the following cigar or cigarette abuts against it.

In either of the equivalent constructions described the cigar or cigarette opposite the slots K on the opposite sides of the box will be exposed on its opposite sides, so that it may 5 be grasped between the thumb and finger for removal. The term slots, as used hereinafter, is to be understood as including the two separate and distinct slots, or slots when united into a single opening.

The case may be provided with an automatic follower for forcing the cigars or cigarettes successively into position opposite the slots K. The automatic follower may comprise a plate, C, hinged to the pintle of the lid-hinge, and aspring, S, interposed between said plate and the rear wall of the box. Any equivalent automatic follower may be employed.

In the use of this case the cigars or cigar ettes are placed within the box side by side, preferably in a single row. To withdraw a cigar or cigarette for smoking, the smoker grasps between a thumb and finger the cigar or cigarette whose upper end is exposed through the opening or slots K and pulls it it outward from the box, its upper end pressing against the box-lid and causing the same to open a distance sufficient to permit the cigar or cigarette to clear the outer edge of the lid, as shown in the drawing. As the cigar is completely withdrawn from the box, the automatic follower shifts the position of the cigars remaining within the box intov such position that another cigar or cigarette is brought opposite the slots K, and simultaneously with the movement of the follower the lid is closed by the action of its spring.

In case the follower is omitted, the box is turned downward, so that the cigar or cigarette nearest the front thereof will fall against the front wall, A, into position to be grasped through the openings K.

It will be observed that it is not necessary to pull open the lid with the fingers of one hand before withdrawing a cigar or cigarette with the fingers of the other hand, and that a cigar or cigarette is always in position to be readily grasped for removal.

We claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A case for cigars or cigarettes, consisting of a box provided with a hinged lid and with slots on opposite sides, through which a cigar or cigarette may be grasped for withdrawal from the case, and a spring for holding the lid normally in closed position.

2. A case for cigars or cigarettes, consisting of a box provided with a hinged lid and with slots on opposite sides, through which a cigar or cigarette may be grasped for withdrawal from the case, and aspring for holding the lid normally in closed position, said slots extending downward from the upper edge of the box.

3. A case for cigars or cigarettes, consist ing ofa box provided with a hinged lid and with slots on opposite sides, through which a cigar or cigarette may be grasped for withdrawal from the case, a spring for holding the lid normally in closed position, and an automatic follower within the box for forcing the cigars or cigarettes successively into position opposite said slots.

cigars or cigarettes successively into position,

opposite said slots, said spring-actuated plate being hinged at its upper end to the pintle ot' the lid-hinge.

ARTHUR JOSEPH NEEDHAM. HORACE CANNING NEEDHAM. WALTER CECIL NEEDHAM.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. A. ALLISON, HARRY A. MOLELLAN, Jr. 

